Thank you!
Let's Love One More child!
Mission Frontier |
|
We received this adorable greeting card today from a family down on Cypress, Texas.
Thank you! Let's Love One More child! Dear friends of the ministry,
I am writing to give you an urgent update about events unfolding here in Peru . I have been here in Peru since January to support and help a Peruvian pastor and his church with their youth ministry. The work of the ministry was going very well being involved in the lives of many youth who have a hunger for God. Then on March 15th, the Peruvian President swiftly lockdown the whole nation without any forewarning. The borders, airports, and just about all businesses were closed. Progressively the lockdown has become more stringent, and quite candidly, the restrictions are becoming more excessive and ridiculous. Despite serving here in a dangerous troubled region of Lima , Peru , and now daily living under a Police State, God has continued to give me a heart to reach individuals for Christ. Whenever possible, I try to make legal reasons for why I need to be out on the streets, so that I can be near people. God brings into my path individuals who I get opportunities to share Christ and His gospel. I have been nearly arrested two times, but God both times showed me favor, and always gives me great grace. I have witnessed one-on-one with over one-hundred people, and God has given me the honor to see three individuals call upon Christ for salvation. I share these testimonies not to seek sympathy. God on a multiple occasions through His Word has encouraged me to be courageous and do my simple part--that is to merely walk on streets, pass out tracts and spark up conversations. God has promised through His Word to me that He will do His part to bring into my path people; and He is! Jesus Christ is faithful! Now is the time for the church to rise up like no other time before and lovingly confront people about sin, righteousness and judgment. People need Christ, and we are ever so much closer to the rapture. The harvest truly is plentiful, and God desires us to get involved and preach Christ right now. My heart is to stay here in Peru and finish the work that I had hoped to do more of here. But with the hysteria of Coronavirus and government takeover, at this time, my Pastor, Stan Slabaugh, and I both believe it would be best for me to return home to America . However, I have a few problems that I beg you to spend time in pray for me. First, I have been stuck here in Peru. The Embassy has slowly evacuated over 5,000 Americans, and for whatever reason, I still have yet to be evacuated. And today was supposed to be the last of evacuations. However, the Embassy said that a private airline company wants to try to fly more Americans to Miami , Florida this Wednesday for an outrageous price of $850. If I don't get chosen for this flight, the Embassy has explained that some time in the future they will try to make other evacuation arrangements. Whatever happens the Embassy has explained that I will need to reimburse the U.S. government for the evacuation costs. This could be as much as several thousands dollars. My home church in Columbus , Ohio is going to try to raise $300 to $500 to help me. To which I am very grateful. I also have created a GoFundMePage which has thus raised $480. Please if you would daily pray for me, I sincerely need your prayers. Secondly, if you or anyone you know would like to financially help me, there are several ways you can donate. You may donate at my GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/stuck-in-lockdown-peru-amp-need-an-airplane?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet . Or you may mail a check to my church: Bible Baptist Church 2758 Home Road Grove City , Ohio 43123 (earmark for Lawrence Bowman) Or you may donate at my ministry's website www.OrphanFrontier.org/donate. If you have any questions, you may call my pastor. Or you can contact me on Facebook. I try to regularly post updates and pictures also. I sincerely thank you for your prayers, kindness, and generous help! Lawrence Bowman Greetings from Peru!
It has been a little more than three weeks since I arrived in this majestic country, though I feel as if I've been part of this work for nine weeks already. That's because beginning six weeks prior to the start of this visit to Peru, the Lord allowed me to experience various types of spiritual warfare, including being gravely ill for 19 days right before I departed from the United States. As I write to you, sitting here on this hot day, I'm aware of ongoing spiritual warfare. But I am greatly encouraged by our Lord Jesus. Nothing good is ever accomplished in life without a tough fight. Evil may beset our plans, bewilder our thoughts or even cause us to be discouraged at times, but greater is Christ that is within us than the prince of the air who battles against God's elect. I am encouraged by God's Word that shows us that it is the Lord who permits battles to occur within the realm of His grace. I am encouraged that God permits battles to bring us closer to Him, to teach us important truths, and to help arrange the circumstances for us to be in the right place, at the right time, serving the right people. Oh, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is magnificent! His timing is perfect, and God's work in the details is tremendously better than our own. Praise the Lord so very much for His grace. Since I've been here in Peru, the Lord has given me the privilege of taking part in helping one teenager and an older gentleman to call upon Christ for salvation. We understand that it is not a prayer that saves a person, but salvation comes through the conviction that people sense within their hearts concerning their sins, which in turn prompts repentance and the acceptance of Christ's atoning sacrifice for those sins as the only hope for redemption. It is a great joy to see people place all their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is Christ who finished the work of redemption on that bloodstained cross of Calvary. Hallelujah! I am scheduled to be here for three months. The purpose of this trip is to serve and help a Peruvian pastor and his church with their youth. They have a lot of teens, so the work is vast in many aspects. In addition, I am beginning to try to encourage members of the church to evangelize--talk about Jesus with folks in the community, pass out tracts, testify to others and be a good witness for Christ. The Lord also has already opened some doors for me to teach. The culture is beautiful here in many aspects, yet, in some ways it is quite different than the culture in the U.S. Daily my heart is deeply troubled for souls here in Peru and around the world. In God's strength, I purposely try to talk to individuals about the gospel wherever I am. But the grave reality is that most of the people are oblivious to spiritual matters. Yes, they have heard of the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, but they have no understanding of redemption, Hell, or the eternal consequences of their sins. Oh, it is so sad that millions of people here in Lima, Peru, live in spiritual darkness. To make matters worse, the devil has been successful in deceiving and confusing these precious people. Various cults have a large presence in Peru, and the leaders of these cults wrest (twist) the Scriptures to teach another Jesus; these teachings bring about people's own destruction. But thank God for the Holy Bible! God's Law is truth, and the preaching of truth shines forth the light of Christ in dark places. For example, yesterday I was on a city bus talking to a proud religious young man who is so confused about God. He has been taught that God is love, and only love. This young man has no fear of God nor remorse for sin. Nonetheless, he kindly allowed me to share with him verse after verse about sin and the judgment of God. Indeed, God truly is love; and indeed, the Bible clearly states that God also is the Judge, the Captain of His host, and the Fierce, Terrible and Almighty God who is to be feared (Revelation 14:7). I showed the young man Colossians 1:28, a verse in which we are commanded to "warn every man," and I asked him, "If God is not to be feared, then why are we commanded to warn every man?" He had no response. Please would you daily pray for me, the Peruvian people, and the great work that God is doing here? One specific prayer that I request is that you beg God to open their understanding to the scriptures. Prayer is truly such an important arsenal that God abundantly allows us to engage, and your prayers are needed more than I can elaborate with words. Thank you! February is an important month for me. I came to know Jesus Christ at the age of 15 on February 18, 1995. This week will be my 25th year that I have been walking with Christ. I will be hosting a big Spiritual Birthday Party here at the church in Lima on February 18th at 6pm. Everyone is inviting friends who are unsaved to come to my "Spiritual Birthday Party" to eat a lot of food, play games, and most importantly, to hear a gospel message about Christ. Please pray that God will use this celebration through the preaching of His gospel to gather in souls for Christ. I'm going to spend around $100 on food and supplies for this event, but I want to see people saved. God made it very clear to me that I was to come down here to Peru in various ways, including giving me 1 Chronicles 4:10-11. God got me an airplane ticket. He's provided for upfront expenses, and thus I trust that He will also take care of upcoming future expenses and needs that are soon approaching. If you would like to financial be part of this project you can contribute at www.OrphanFrontier.org/donate. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry! Let's Love One More Child! Lawrence Bowman Merry Christmas! Over the past few months people from various regions of America have sent us hand made Christmas cards for orphans around the world. We are so happy to show a few pictures of orphans from India with your Christmas cards. Thank you for remembering orphans and being part of putting a smile on their faces.
Orphan Frontier has been a supporter of a wonderful Christian school in India for a few years. Recently this school made a cute music video that I believe you will enjoy to watch. The children come from an area of India where unique and sometimes dangerous challenges can occur to Christians. In spite of these challenges God gives them favor. Many of the children come from very poor families. They are given a great education as well they are taught about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please pray for the staff and students at this school that God may continue to show them favor, and that many families might come to Christ through this ministry. If you would like to financially support this school, please visit our website at www.orphanfrontier.org/india. Thank you! Enjoy! Dear friends of the ministry,
During the past few months, I have sensed on my heart a heavy emphasis for souls, and it has grown exceedingly. In the United States it seems that the hearts of many people are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Meanwhile, during my travels abroad to other nations, I have noticed that the same old deceptions used by the devil here in the U.S. are now being embraced by others around the world. We are living in perilous times, and the hearts of many people are increasingly growing cold toward one another and toward a desire to even know God. Nevertheless, I am greatly encouraged that there still are souls to be sought! The harvest of the earth is ripe because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ soon is to come as a thief in the night and rapture His church. Meanwhile, today, while there is still light, we Christians ought to be about our Father's business: The harvest of souls! The harvest truly is plenteous, but the sad reality is that the labourers are so few. I just returned to the States from two international trips. My first trip was to a Restricted Access Nation--meaning that human authorities create difficulties and challenges for their people to have access to the Gospel. It truly is a beautiful nation. The people are bountiful in relationships, hospitality, and a beautiful culture. However, their lives are suppressed by superior entities beyond their control. They yearn for hope yet do not know where to find it. I have the HOPE and His name is the Lord Jesus Christ! I was greatly privileged to go and serve some wonderful people for a short time. Many restrictions were put upon me, yet God did open doors for me to peacefully serve the people in deed and in the Word. I do believe the church will continue to grow in quantity as well as maturity because the people have a great opportunity. When human authorities take away people's false hopes in riches and leadership, then the true HOPE can become easier to see! Jesus Christ is that only hope. Christians in Restricted Access Nations seem to have a better awareness of this truth than most of us in "free" nations where everything is readily accessible. Hope needs to be announced to these people; however, the laborers are few. It is grievous to report that a great number of people who want Hope and are ripe to receive Hope do not know about the true Hope. And the blame is ours. Romans 10:14 poses these questions: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" How shall people believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if there is no one to tell them about Him? My friend, have you ever considered becoming a missionary on a foreign field? Have you ever seriously fasted and asked the Lord if He would have you leave your comforts and go to serve a people group that does not know about our wonderful Savior? I am seriously begging you to prayerfully consider such an endeavor. Yes, there must be preparation, and it is true that the personal costs are high. However, the rewards are priceless and beyond your greatest imaginations! For example, during my other trip, to the nation of the Dominican Republic, I encountered many divine appointments. And because of these divine meetings with people in common places, I had the privilege of spending time explaining the gospel to individuals who are searching for truth. One such time was when I was waiting for a friend in a boring hospital waiting room. I gave a gospel tract to a young man sitting next to me. He then began to read the whole tract. After he read it, I asked him if he understood what he read. We then discussed it, and about an hour later he asked me, "Can I receive Christ right here right now?" I was so happy to hear him ask that. I joyously answered, "Absolutely!" And right there in a waiting room, he called upon the Savior for salvation. This is just one of many joys that God gave me during my service in the Dominican Republic. God opened many doors for me to preach at many churches to exhort the people in matters soulwinning and discipleship. God also provided some other opportunities for me to speak to needy kids at some schools. I was allowed to speak before a group of elementary school students as well as at the junior level school. During my talks, I shared my personal testimony and told how the Lord and the Bible have been helping me in life. In addition, I was asked to speak about an important topic that affects too many children: molestation and sexual abuse. Many times when children are being sexually abused they do not say or do anything because they are confused or frightened. So during my time before these students, I discussed important topics that will be a big help to them and their loved ones. For example, I explained to these youngsters what molestation and abuse are, and I emphasized the importance of going to a "good" person, such a teacher, and talking about what's on their minds. Lastly, in the Dominican Republic, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with certain leaders of a local church and discuss their plans to open a rescue boys home. I was greatly encouraged to hear about all the preparations they have made. And it's just a matter of time until some needy boys will have a safe place to call home! I sincerely want to thank those of you who pray for this ministry and who faithfully financially invest in our work. Various challenges have arisen during the past three months, yet God has sustained. Orphan Frontier has the privilege of partaking in helping orphanages, children's homes, and ministries in India, Israel, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines. You can learn more in detail about these ministries on our website at www.OrphanFrontier.org. Christmas will soon be here! If you might desire to give a financial Christmas gift to help an orphanage somewhere in the world, would you please earmark your special gift to note which children's home you desire to help? Thank you! And Merry Christmas! Dear friends of the ministry,
I first want to begin by thanking our awesome God for deeply caring for children and having a BIG heart that's especially inclined toward those kids who are living in dire situations. Our society may lack the full abilities to appropriately help every child, but our God is faithful. He gives special grace to those who are deeply hurting and bewildered. The Lord God has been so gracious to the United States, and it seems appropriate to thank Him for enabling this country to have a foster care system. Although I am aware of the many problems and challenges within the foster care system, I still am grateful that we have a functional system through which many boys and girls are being helped. That help is made possible to a great extent because of loving families and individuals who open their homes to take in and care for youngsters in need. Indeed, our children in the United States are battling troubles on all fronts. If it were not for the grace of God, I would be overwhelmed as a soldier in this warfare, and you too could become engulfed with apprehension if you should choose to help kids without God's counsel in daily prayer. The Lord undeniably gives peace that passes all understanding, and He keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus even when endeavors seemingly go against hope. Any nation cannot continue to stand to be a nation without a framework of strong families. The family unit is God's masterpiece within a people. Since the 1920s/1930s there has been a subtle increase in attacks on the American family. Sadly, the fabric of America 's families gradually has become torn and tattered, ultimately weakening our society on a large scale. One fundamental reason why our children all across the country are experiencing unrelenting challenges is because we scarcely have left intact God's design for the family unit. The evidence is before us. Millions of our children live with feelings of loneliness, depression and are disconnected from society. Increasingly each year thousands of our children are committing suicide, and ever more thousands of our children are being arrested for serious crimes. My heart is greatly concerned for our children. I thank God immensely that He graciously gives me the privilege of laboring in the ministry of helps on behalf of children. I have seen with my own eyes, heard with my own ears, and experienced myself the effects of evil on our children. Therefore, one endeavor that I diligently have been working toward for the past two years is to establish a Home in Central Ohio for adolescent boys who are facing difficult challenges and who need safety, love, and stability. I have taken every class, gone through many training sessions, done my homework, and made extensive arrangements so that I could receive a license here in Ohio to open a small Home for boys. My heart is deeply saddened and contrite, yet I still keep my focus on God and trust His sovereignty. I must report to you that it seems I shall not receive a license from the state of Ohio . I have jumped through every hoop, and yet I am left in wonderment. In sharing with you the reason behind this rejection of my application for a license, I want to be transparent. I am sharing some very personal matters with you that God has seen me through. He has brought me to the point that I could more than just survive; He has enabled me to surthrive, for I am a surthriver. Back in September 2018, I was told that I would soon be approved for the license necessary for me to open a Home for boys. However, this process was halted by an administrator after she reviewed my complete application. Her explanation was that she felt I was not ready to care for children because I had never undergone therapy or counseling for sexual abuse that I experienced as a small child. I explained to her that I had given all of my pangs to Jesus Christ, and that I had learned to forgive and move forward with my life, and not think about certain matters which are behind me, reaching forth unto those things which are before. In fact, God has helped me to focus my rationale for living on helping kids and preaching the gospel. A week after the approval process for my license was halted, I was instructed to go through six months of counseling before I could be approved. So I followed through on the administrator's instruction and met weekly with a counselor. Then in the spring of this year, my counselor wrote a favorable report for the administrator. Several weeks later, my counselor was asked to answer impossible question(s). My counselor wrote me these words: "...the issue is that they want to know whether or not you will 'traumatize yourself or others.' This is not a question that I can answer, as it is outside the scope of my practice; answering such a question would be a violation of our code of ethics. In fact, I don't believe that any counselor can answer that question..." So what am I to do? Various friends and godly counselors that I keep near me have shared their thoughts, for which I am appreciative. But after much prayer, meditation, and considerate counseling from my pastor, I choose to trust God's sovereignty. God is in control. The past two years have not been a waste in waiting. God has blessed, He has taught me much, and He has given me many opportunities to serve Him in ways that would not have been available to me in different circumstances. God has given me so many opportunities to share the loving gospel of Jesus Christ with various professionals during these past two years whom I otherwise never would have met. God has given me opportunities to confidentially listen to and speak with individuals, families, and pastors who have experienced or are now experiencing some form of sexual infringement. I thank God that time spent waiting is not time wasted; it is well worth the wait. I am not totally sure what is ahead for me. Nevertheless, by God's grace I hope to continue to walk beside Him to be a servant unto all, especially children, around the world. God has opened the doors for me to travel this coming fall to the Dominican Republic as well as to a Restricted Access Nation to be of service in helping to meet some very special needs for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ! I covet your prayers dearly. If I may be of service as a friend to you in any way, please feel free to reach out to me anytime. Thank you so much for your prayers, and thank you to those who generously give so that together we can love one more child! Lawrence Bowman Dear friends of the Ministry,
We regularly receive requests and invitations to visit, help and serve various orphanages around the world. With each invitation, the request is included in the priority of prayer before Almighty God. It is amazing to see how God arranges the bringing together of people for His service in the most exceptionally wonderful ways. Back in 2018 here in America, Brother Bowman received a letter from some servants of God in the small islands of Papua New Guinea concerning a unique children's home in Peru of South America. It took God working in three continents to bring about a glorious journey. Through many months of prayer and communications, God orchestrated the opportunity for Brother Bowman to travel down to Peru and visit this children's home. It was a very unique experience because the majority of their work was to serve deaf children. It is estimated that over 5% of the world's population – or 466 million people – has disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). The United States has approximately 1,000,000 people who are total deaf, and millions more who live with severe hearing impairment or other kinds of "troubles" with their hearing. Likewise, the nation of Peru has an exceptionally high number of deaf individuals, perhaps in the millions. There is no official count of how many adults and children suffer living deaf in Peru because they are a forgotten group of people. The big majority of the Peruvian deaf people can be found living in the poorer sections of the capital city, Lima, where very limited resources for the deaf can be found. There are only two public schools in their entire country where the deaf can learn through sign language; but after that, they are on their own. It is a sad reality that most deaf Peruvians don't even finish school because they cannot afford to or they live too far away from established schools for the deaf. Most deaf Peruvians' lives are a daily struggle of trying to understand and be understood. They are often looked down by the hearing society, and live an isolated life among the hearing. Many are very lonely and miserable, because most deaf people are unemployed or receive lower than minimum wage, living in deep poverty. When asked, the deaf people in Peru say they adhered to the same religion as their parents, although they may not fully understand what that religion entails because they never had it explained to them through a language they clearly understood. Yes, there is Peruvian Sign Language, but because schooling is very limited for deaf people, many do not receive a good teaching of sign language to facilitate clear communication and understanding. Romans 10:14 asks some good rhetorical questions: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" We would ask the same questions geared for the deaf: How then shall the deaf Peruvians call on Jesus in whom they have not believed? And how shall the deaf Peruvians believe in Jesus of whom they have not read in sign? And how shall they learn about Jesus without a sign language interpreter? The deaf Peruvians need Christian people who can tell them about God and His great love for them through their established Peruvian Sign Language. Nevertheless, because so many deaf Peruvians do not have any good knowledge of basic sign language, they also need Christians who can teach them their Peruvian Sign Language, and thus be able to clearly teach them about the simple good news of Jesus Christ. Although society has in most ways forgotten the Peruvian deaf people, the LORD GOD has not forgotten about them. He sees their loneliness. He understands their confused hearts. He seeks to give them light and clarity about the Lord Jesus Christ, and He has a remnant of great Christians who are seeking to educate, teach, love, and care for the Peruvian deaf people, specifically deaf children. Brother Bowman reports that his time at this unique children's home in Peru was a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. Being deaf is indeed a disability that sadly isolates the individual from many things we hearing people take for granted. Even with these circumstances, it was amazing to see God using compassionate diligent servants of God to help deaf children be rooted, built up, and established in the faith, as well as to be taught and trained in good education so to give them a purpose and success in this life. Orphan Frontier takes great pleasure in supporting precious deaf children who suffer from this deprivation. Praise the Lord, a few good churches exist that host Children's Homes for deaf children. The homes diligently labor to give these precious youngsters a solid education, food, clothing, care, and the love of Jesus Christ. The great news is that opening the doors for communication for deaf individuals absolutely transforms and improves their lives. The feeling of loneliness is replaced by close friendship. Deaf people's minds awaken with the ability to finally read, write, communicate, and express themselves with others. They are given the opportunity to find out their life's purpose and to thrive in the same way that hearing people do. Would you be willing to open up your purse or wallet and donate toward this wonderful work in Peru? Just imagine what your life would be like if you could not properly communicate with others around you. Today you have the opportunity to help remove the shackles of loneliness, ignorance, and prejudice from deaf children. Would you please help them today? Brother Bowman has written and published over nine books. For every generous donation that comes into Orphan Frontier this month, Brother Bowman would like to send a free copy of one of his books. Along with your donation, he asks that you mention which book you would enjoy reading. You can find a listing of his books by clicking on "My Books" at www.OrphanFrontier.org/lawrence. We also encourage you to read more about this wonderful Children's Home by visiting www.OrphanFrontier.org/peru. Our sincerest gratitude, ORPHAN FRONTIER Dear friends of the ministry,
The need to serve and help children grows more urgent with each passing day. Soon Christ Jesus will rapture His church and there will be no more need to help abused and abandoned children, for all children of God will be safe in Heaven. But before that great day of our Lord, evil shall continually wax worse and worse. Who would have ever imagined the assaults we publicly see on children with society accepting these abuses as natural? Some recent child abuse reports that have occurred with so few standing in the gap for righteousness are: Recent new laws allow babies to be murdered right up before birth; The Governor of Virginia and other Senators publicly support allowing doctors to kill newborn babies after birth; Homosexuality is being taught in many public schools; Many parents and doctors are denying the sex of babies and labeling them as born "gender free"; an 11-year-old boy was permitted to sensually dance before half-naked men at a gay bar; a 10-year-old boy was photographed with a naked man for a magazine, and the list goes on. The devil knows his days are numbered; they are quickly counting down. Each new day is one day closer to his approaching doom, and evil is being unleashed publicly as never before. The worst thing is that so many Christians are sitting down doing nothing about these assaults. Although the Bible makes known that evil will reveal itself in worsening ways, this does not give us Christians an excuse to do and say nothing. On the contrary! We are to fight the good fight. The Bible calls Christians soldiers. We soldiers are to be engaged in the battles. God commands us in 2 Timothy 2:3-5 to be good soldiers. Sadly, many Christians are not good soldiers. They are not serving God in the lives of people. They are entangled with the affairs of this life. They are consumed with their own lusts instead of zealously getting involved in the ministry of Jesus Christ to help others and deter wickedness. Nevertheless, we at Orphan Frontier take great comfort in the promises of God. Where evil abounds, grace does much more abound. And we certainly see the grace of God in our ministry. God calls people to get involved; and we are so deeply appreciative of those individuals who partner with us. We certainly cannot do our work without our supporters who have been so generous and faithful. The need is great, and the time is urgent. To our supporters, we truly thank you for your prayers, donations, and dedication to serving and helping needy children. This previous autumn you may recall that Mr. Bowman had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines to serve various orphanages. We wanted to give you a quick update about one small item. Before leaving the Philippines, Mr. Bowman was able to use your financial donations to purchase a large, sturdy washing machine for one of the orphanages. We are happy to say that the washing machine finally was delivered to the children's home before Christmas. We are sure that the house mother is very happy to now be using a large washing machine to wash so many clothes rather than having to do it the slow, painstaking way. Thank you! God sometimes will impress upon you and me a need to get involved in things that we do not know how to do. It is our responsibility to follow Him in obedience and watch Him put together all the details. For example, at the beginning of this past December, God pressed upon Mr. Bowman's heart that we should help a local family in need for Christmas. So we began to pray for God's guidance. We put the word out in the community about our plans, and soon many names of families came before our desk. However, we prayerfully felt that none of the names set before us were the ones whom we were to suppose to help. So we continued to pray and asked God to reveal who He wanted us to help. Then a week before Christmas, we learned of another family. As we prayed, God gave us His peace. Mr. Bowman and a friend scheduled a time to go and meet the family. God's leading was perfect. The family whom we got to minister to is a devout Muslim family. We learned that the man and his wife previously have taken part in various Bible studies, and the wife clearly wants to be assured that Jesus Christ really is God, as the Bible states. Not only did we get to provide this couple with a bunch of Christmas gifts, two car seats, and two booster seats for the many children, we also have had opportunities on a number of occasions to sit down and testify to the family members from the Scriptures that Jesus is the true and living God. They have heard and have seen with their own eyes through us that Jesus loves them very much. I'm afraid that most American Christians do not understand what that first step means for Muslims--to forsake religion and rest in the salvation of Jesus is a serious courageous step. So whether you understand or not, please keep this family in prayer that they will turn their eyes upon Jesus and place all their confidence in Him. All of Orphan Frontier's endeavors to help needy children are inspired from God's heartbeat to see children and families come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not simply a humanitarian charity; we are first a spiritual ministry with a focus on giving relief to needy children so that they can know God, enjoy God, and be all that God wills for them to be in this life. We have been praying for a long time about how we can serve more of our own local children and help reach families for Christ here in Columbus. There are several neighborhoods here where many abuses upon children are common daily occurrences. Although the media speaks little about these troubles, the reality is that many kids are growing up without a father and with a mother who is waywardly involved in illicit activities. We want to be as 1 John 3:18: "...let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." We desire to verbally declare as well as demonstrate Jesus Christ. We seek to share Christ in ways that might establish in the hearts of needy families that Christ cares for them and offers safety. One new opportunity that has arisen for us to get involved with local needy children is to give them and their families a wonderful birthday. Imagine how you would feel as a child if your birthday were soon approaching and there wasn't going to be any celebration: No presents, no cake, not even a cute card. Sadly, many children in our community do not get to celebrate their birthdays. Families all around us are going through unforeseen circumstances caused by violence, medical illness, unemployment, and other emergencies. We want to bring a little relief so that for one day children and their loved ones can enjoy celebrating and making wonderful birthday memories in a Christian environment. Bible Baptist Church here in the Columbus area has agreed to allow us to use their fellowship hall for these "Birthdays For Kids" celebrations. This will give Orphan Frontier the opportunity to serve needy families and introduce them to a loving church. Please keep us in prayer as we seek to reach out in a new way locally while continuing to help needy kids all around the world. You can visit our website at OrphanFrontier.org/birthday to learn more about "Birthdays For Kids." If you ever want to know more about what we do or have an interest to help, please feel free to reach out to us anytime. Thank you! Because of the generosity of some of you, some very special kids for one family here in Columbus, Ohio got to have Christmas. Your generosity allowed us to give them 4 car seats and a bunch of gifts for the children. Please pray for this family for several reasons.
www.OrphanFrontier.org/christmas We were able to purchase before Christmas a much needed washing machine, 4 stove tops and ceiling fans for the Jesus Loves Me Children’s Home in the Philippines. We thank God so much, and we expressly want to let all of our supporters know how much your donations and prayers are so appreciative. Here is a picture of some of the children around the washing machine.
Thank you and Merry Christmas! God brought a sweet family who needs help in our community. Some really unfair troubles is occuring to a sweet Muslim mother all because she has been interested in learning more about the claims of Jesus Christ and what the Bible teaches. She needs 2 booster seats, 1 front-facing baby seat, 1 backward-facing baby seat, and some other items. Is there anyone that can donate these items before Christmas or who could contribute money so that we can purchase them this weekend? $300 should be sufficient to help this Christmas. Thank you! You can financially donate at www.OrphanFrontier.org/christmas. She is not in the picture to keep her identity safe. It has come to our attention at Orphan Frontier that some local families here in Columbus need assitance for Christmas. We desire to help these families a wonderful Christmas. If you would like to help, please donate @ www.OrphanFrontier.org/christmas.
All of us here at Orphan Frontier want to express our deepest appreciation to each and every supporter, contributor, donor, and prayer warrior who has come alongside us to help abused and abandoned children all around the world. We truly could not do this important needful work to so many precious children without you! Thank you for giving.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Click on pictures to enlarge. Dear Friends,
We want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! We are so appreciative to God and to our supporters for giving us the abilities to serve the downtrodden and needy. Certainly we have much gratitude to express because the Lord is good and His blessings are abundant. In particular, we thank Jesus Christ that He is a God who is very near and who sees the afflictions of the children in this world. Sin manifests itself in all sorts of ways and ravages the lives of so many people. Thank the LORD that He is longsuffering, so much so that He seeks and invites individuals with a servant's heart to compassionately stand in the gap and help bring relief to the suffering. We praise the LORD that God has allowed Orphan Frontier to gradually help more and more children locally and around the world for more than five years. Within the last month, God opened doors for Orphan Frontier to be part of some good works in the Philippines. The beautiful nation of the Philippines consists of over 105 million people with an explosive population of children everywhere. The 7,000+ islands display God's grandeur with breathtaking scenes of flourishing green mountains and stunning white beaches; however, the Philippines also is home to overcrowded cities that are filled with countless children wandering all over the streets. Amidst such beauty is the darkness of sin overshadowing the population; people are being attacked by evil forces on all fronts. Many innocent children are sexually abused by pedophiles who fly in from all over the world; the demand is ever-increasing. Religious Islamic fundamentalists are recruiting at the earliest ages for help in the ISIS jihad. Drugs and gang violence proliferate beyond measure. And hunger, poverty, and many other troubles are unmistakably noticeable because of the effects of sin. Thankfully there are many good churches preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ, sin, righteousness, and judgment. Many churches serve the poor and hungry through feeding ministries. Among so many compassionate servants of God, an opportunity for Orphan Frontier presented itself for Brother Bowman to travel to be with two churches that also have orphanages for abused and abandoned children. Last month Brother Bowman flew over to the Philippines. His time was well spent serving so many people in various ways. The Lord truly multiplied his labors and allowed his time to be helpful and fruitful. Brother Bowman spent a lot of time getting to know and serve the children and the staff members. In addition, God afforded him time to reach out and serve others in other important matters. During his time there, Brother Bowman was privileged by God's grace to preach at a few churches, teach in a couple of Bible colleges, preach at a local jail, and participate in some feeding ministries. In addition, God opened a very unique opportunity for Brother Bowman to serve various people in a much-needed way. He got to spend time giving some people a better understanding about sex trafficking and sexual abuse. During these times he also got to privately meet with others to discuss loneliness and how to move forward after being sexually abused. Brother Bowman is very thankful to God that not only did he get to work with the orphanages, God also opened unusual doors for him to minister regarding sexual abuse. There are too many untold stories of adults and children who have been sexually abused and molested that nobody knows about. Both Filipinos and Americans are seeing a growing trend of people being sexually abused at alarming rates that are at epidemic proportions. Too many people (just within our own churches) are secretly living in shame, turmoil, and deep pangs of guilt through no fault of their own. These people desperately need help; sadly, the church is failing them! We Christians need to compassionately make our personal lives, homes, ministries and churches available for anyone to open up and talk about their pangs of guilt and troubles. We need to be better listeners. We need to ensure that our compassion is extended within an environment filled with genuine concern. We need to promote and manifest caring fellowship for others so that they will be heard and embraced with love and friendship. If we do this, saturated with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, more of our brothers and sisters in the faith will courageously open up and seek help regarding their disturbing memories of past sexual abuse. If you at any time have any concerns or questions about anything, please feel free to reach out to us. The Holy Bible instructs us in Romans 15:7: "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God." Why? Because Romans 15:1 says, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." You, Brother Bowman, and all of us need each other. We need God. And God helps people through people. We are to be here for one another. Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving! In exactly two weeks by God's grace Mr. Bowman will be flying to the Philippines to be with two orphanages. He is wanting to take over with me a big bag of school supplies. He is in need of NEW colored pencils, pencils, ink pens, paper, and crayons. No liquids. If you would like to donate some school supplies please email us at orphanfrontier@aol.com to schedule a time for pick up. Or you can make a financial donation @ www.OrphanFrontier.org/philippines.
Are you looking to do volunteer work? Consider volunteering with us! Orphan Frontier is currently in great need of a cheerful volunteer who has a compassionate heart for needy children. We need someone who is faithfully able to contribute a few hours each week to communicate on Orphan Frontier's behalf to staff members of orphanages, children's homes, and children's ministries around the world. The right candidate will be an individual with integrity, honesty, and a willingness and ability to correspond in writing. This need has arisen because each day we are inundated with requests from staff members of orphanages, children's homes, and children's ministries. Sadly, we are no longer able to respond to each request. We understand that each piece of correspondence that comes into our office contains messages from real individuals. We desire to show respect and appreciation for these dedicated laborers among orphans by responding to every request. If you are interested in filling this very important role at Orphan Frontier, please contact us via our Facebook page or at OrphanFrontier@aol.com. Someone will contact you! Hello friends of the ministry!
It is truly certain that no ministry can be successful without a team of people. Committed individuals who give of themselves in love, labor, charity, and of their substance can accomplish much. In the Bible, Luke 8:2-3 gives us insight into some of the many people who served alongside Jesus during His earthly ministry. The Bible notes that these individuals ministered unto Jesus of their substance. We don't know a great deal about the individuals listed in this passage; nevertheless, one significant attribute which God lets us know is that they were fervent laborers who gave very much of themselves and of their substance to God. They helped financially fund the ministry of Christ, and much good came about through all of it! We want to thank every single individual who ministers to children through Orphan Frontier. We are so grateful to those who come alongside with Orphan Frontier to help us help abused and abandoned children around the world. So many of you diligently spend time in prayer; others volunteer their time and efforts in various projects; and so many of you minister unto orphans of your substance--you generously give of your finances. We want you to know that the giving of your substance is noticed and greatly appreciated. Every dollar, check, and credit card donation that comes in helps fund orphanages all around the world, and much good is coming through all of it! THANK YOU SO MUCH! One undertaking that has been ongoing for more than a year is the establishment of a new small boys' home in central Ohio. Many people have given of their substance to this home by donating furniture, dishes, blankets, pictures, toys, and many other essentials. Brother Lawrence Bowman just got word this week that the administrator overseeing his paperwork hopes to be able to hand him a state license next month. Please patiently continue to keep this endeavor in your prayers. It will be a great joy to his heart to start caring for needy boys just in time for Christmas. Brother Bowman has expressed that there are a few other items that the boys’ home needs; you can view the list at www.OrphanFrontier.org/needs. In addition, this much-awaited boys’ home needs a new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, especially before the next winter arrives. The cost will be $6,500 to purchase and have a professional install this much-needed system. Would you please help purchase this very urgently needed HVAC system and installation? If you could generously give, any amount would be so helpful and appreciated! Brother Bowman is also scheduled to travel to the Philippines for about a month before he starts taking in kids at the boys’ home in Ohio. His plans are to serve and help some worthy folks who are compassionately caring for deprived children at their new orphanage. He will also meet with local national pastors and serve alongside them in ministering the Word, in prayer, in evangelism, and in various other ways. We are seeking God in how Orphan Frontier might be of future assistance to this wonderful orphanage. We are urging everyone to please pray for this upcoming trip. He needs to raise $4,000 for all expenses, which include airplane tickets, food, lodging, travel, and disbursements in blessing some local missionaries in their needs. Everything Orphan Frontier does is funded entirely by the donations of generous individuals such as you. Your tax-deductible contributions provide all funding so that orphans locally and around the world can be given security, education, food, medical care, and much more. We are truly appreciative of your partnership!!! At the beginning of each month we take the previous month's donations and disperse them to various orphanages, children's homes, and/or ministires according to the present need. Today we sent checks to three great ministries that are abundantly helping children in Mexico, Malawi, and Israel. We could not do this without your support. Thank you so much for your giving so that together we can love one more child!
We are so excited to announce that starting today your contributions will now go to also support a great work in God's holy nation: ISRAEL.
We received a beautiful letter in the mail today from the Director over Good Samaritan Children's Home in Malawi. Here is part of the letter and we pray that you might hear his heart's plea: "...Well next month is harvest time in Malawi. Their seasons are just the opposite of North America's. So it comes that time when we must buy all the dry goods to last us one whole year. If we don't, the Muslim traders will buy it all up and hold it for months, then sell it for double or triple the price. This year because of shortage of rain, the corn is very small on 45% growth. It will go for $30 to $40 per 50K bag instead of $22. Please, please believe me, God is my witness, what you see on this DRY GOODS/FOOD SUPPLY list is very true and it doesn't include transportation or labor charges. Pray for the poor. Matthew 9:36-38 says, 'But when he saw the multitudes, [Jesus] was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith [Jesus] unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.' You and I are His laborers together. I will mail out 280 letters this week and did you know less than 50 who receive the letter will help (as a rule). I am in my 19th year as a missionary to Malawi, Africa and live with this low response year after year. But God always supplies our need and as James 1:27 says, "the fatherless and widows in their affliction" and Proverbs 19:17 says, " He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." Can you help? Please pray for Alice and I...." We at Orphan Frontier hope some of you will make a special contribution to help them in Malawi. They have a wonderful orphanage that cares for over 100 children and serves countless others too. If you wish to help them please make a donation at www.OrphanFrontier.org/goodsamaritan. February is the month best known for "LOVE." We just received a package of beautiful handmade cards from a thoughtful family in Illinois. Since Valentine's Day is this week, we will not have time to mail them to an orphanage outside of America. Therefore, it was a delight to take them to some awesome children here in Columbus at an inner city children's club.
Thank you! Here is one reason why we are so appreciative of our donors who support us help some great orphanages around the world. This pictures is of Francis in Malawi, Africa. Francis was brought to the Good Samaritan Children's Home in Malawi almost a year ago. When he came, he was crippled. Because of this, his family was unable to take care of him.The first Lady of Malawi brought him to Good Samaritan, asking if the orphanage could take him. They agreed. After a couple of months, the first Lady returned to check on him. She could not believe her eyes. God had did the impossible; he was walking! Francis is a very vibrant teenager now, giving glory to God for what He has done for him. The wonderful staff at the orphanage continue to care for him, giving him love, education, food, and love some more. Thank you to all of our supporters who make this possible. We are always in need of more support, so if you haven't donated yet and would like to, please visit www.OrphanFrontier.org/donate. |
Archives
March 2024
|